VOCATIONAL SERVICES
There are many types of vocational services available from community agencies after graduation from high school. Many may begin providing services prior to a student’s actual graduation date to aid in the transition process. Most agencies encourage early contact (a year or two before graduation) so that parents and students are informed about what type of employment assistance is available after high school.
PARENTS AND STUDENTS SHOULD CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING PRIOR TO SPEAKING WITH AGENCIES OFFERING VOCATIONAL SERVICES:
What kind of employment situation does your child desire and what do you want for your child?
· How much flexibility is available for a work schedule?
· What kind of work environment?
· What skills can be offered to an employer?
· What rate of pay?
· What benefits will be needed (example: insurance)?
What kind of support is needed to find and keep a job?
· Help getting a job?
· Help learning a job?
· Help keeping a job?
· Transportation training?
What kind of transportation can you provide for your child or what are the public options?
· Self transport?
· Ride from family/friend?
· Taxi?
· Public Transportation?
· Other?
QUESTIONS TO ASK AGENCIES OFFERING VOCATIONAL SERVICES:
1. How are the services paid for? Do I have to pay?
2. How long do your services last?
3. What is the process to apply for services? Is there a waiting list? How long can we expect to wait before services are provided?
4. What kind of Transportation Services are available? How are they paid for?
5. Do you provide services other than employment (Examples: social groups, work support groups, recreation, case management)?
6. How are parents involved?
7. What happens if a job change is necessary?
TYPES OF VOCATIONAL SERVICES OFFERED BY COMMUNITY AGENCIES
Vocational Evaluation - Testing to determine vocational interests, aptitudes and training needs to be successful on a job or in another vocational goal.
Competitive Employment - The individual is provided with vocational guidance and job development to provide a good job match. Follow up services are conducted with the individual and the employer to assist in job maintenance or problem solving as needed. These services are typically short-term.
Supported Employment - The individual is provided vocational guidance, assessment and job development to ensure a good job match. One-on-one job coaching is usually provided during the acquisition phase and is faded back as the individual becomes independent. Once an individual is performing the job independently, job coaching is reduced to intermittent follow-up and problem solving on an as needed basis.
Extended Services - Long-term job coaching services for individuals who are anticipated to require job coaching to maintain employment for an indefinite period of time. Two job-coaching contacts per month is the minimum support provided.
Work Adjustment Training - Training on a short-term basis (up to 12 months) to assist in learning basic work skills and appropriate work habits. The training takes place in an in-house (workshop) setting or the community to prepare the person for supported or competitive employment. This program is limited in DuPage County.
Sheltered Workshop Programs - The agency owns and operates an industry that provides work or subcontract work in an industrial setting. Individuals participating in this program do “piece work” and may be paid according to their productivity, sometimes less than minimum wage. This may be the beginning point for many individuals to gain work skills and work behaviors. Motivated individuals may seek other employment opportunities and programs.
Developmental Training - A day program designed for individuals with disabilities that offers instruction and supervision. Developmental training programs focus attention of functional daily living, recreation & leisure opportunities, and various community activities. Paid work opportunities may also be available to individuals.
AGENCIES OFFERING VOCATIONAL SERVICES IN
DUPAGE COUNTY
Illinois Department of Human Services,
Division of Rehabilitation Services (DHS-DRS)
(Formerly DORS)
2901 Finley, Suite 109
Downers Grove, IL 60515
(630) 495-0500 Voice, (630) 495-2294 TTY
DHS - DRS staff provide vocational counseling, guidance and job placement services. They coordinate referrals and funding to agencies for vocational services such as vocational evaluation, competitive and supported employment, trial work, on-the-job evaluation, on-the-job training, and extended services. The DHS-DRS counselor monitors progress in vocational programs. The DHS-DRS counselor also provides funding for additional services that may be needed for successful employment such as assistive devices, counseling, training, tools, equipment and tutoring. Funding for some services is based on the customer and family’s financial need.
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Parents Alliance Employment Project
837 S. Westmore-Meyer Rd
Lombard, IL 60148
Phone: (630) 495-4345 Ext. 211
TTD: (630) 495-0655
Fax: (630) 495-0387
Website: www.ietc-dupageco.com
· Supported Employment
· Competitive Employment
· Pre-employment skills workshops
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Ray Graham Association - Community Employment Services
2777 Finley Road
Downers Grove, IL 60515
Phone: (630) 495-0289
TDD: (630) 628-2352
Fax: (630) 495- 0317
· Vocational Evaluation, including community based assessments
· Job Placement
· Supported Employment
· Extended Employment Services
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Ray Graham Association - Community Learning Centers
Central Intake Department
2801 Finley Road
Downers Grove, IL 60515
Phone: (620) 620-2222
Fax: (630) 628-2351
TDD: (630) 628-2352
Ray Graham Association’s Community Learning Centers offer a variety of options daily. These options include, but may not be limited to:
· Support to participate in the community for learning, work, and recreation.
· Support to participate in volunteer and paid work.
· Life Skills learning opportunities
· Daily living skill development
Community Learning Center Locations
Elmhurst
420 W. Madison
Elmhurst, IL
Ph: 630-834-4106
Lombard
436 S. Main St.
Lombard, IL
Ph: 630-620-9663
Hanson Center
15 W 431 59th St.
Burr Ridge, IL
Ph: 630-325-3857
Main Street
1155 N. Main St.
Lombard, IL
Ph: 630-953-9574
Lisle
1989 University Ave.
Lisle, IL
Ph: 630-353-1697
Bloomingdale
304 Glen Ellyn Rd.
Bloomingdale, IL
630-351-1024
Downers Grove
2777 Finley Rd.
Downers Grove, IL
Ph: 630-495-0289
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Spectrum Vocational Services
2302 Wisconsin Ave.
Downers Grove, IL 60515
Phone: (630) 852-7520
· Vocational Evaluation
· Supported Employment
· Competitive Employment
· Transitional Work Program
· In-House Sheltered Workshop Programs
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Supported Employment Associates (SEA)
P.O. Box 4714
Wheaton, IL 60189-4714
Phone: (630) 653-5662
Fax: (630) 839-3308
E-mail: sea@core.com
· Supported Employment
· Competitive Employment
· Extended Services
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DuPage County Health Department
422 N. Prospect
Wheaton, IL 60187
Phone: (630) 682-7979
· Competitive Employment and Supported Employment, specifically for individuals with serious persistent mental illness.
· Pre-employment and job skills training.
· Psychosocial rehabilitation.
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Illinois Department of Employment Security
Illinois Employment and Training Center (IETC)
837 S. Westmore
Lombard, IL 60148
Phone: (630) 495-4345
· Competitive Employment (administers the Job Service program for the general public.)
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AGENCIES OFFERING VOCATIONAL SERVICES IN NEARBY COUNTIES
(SOME SERVE DUPAGE COUNTY RESIDENTS)
CARES Chicago
3333 W. Arthington, Suite 139
Chicago, IL 60624
Phone: (773) 265-3300
Fax: (773) 265-3308
· Competitive Employment
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The Association for Individual Development (AID)
309 West New Indian Trail Ct.
Aurora, IL 60506
Phone: (630) 844-5040
Fax: (630) 844-9011
Serves Aurora residents who live in DuPage County and Kane and Kendal County Residents
· Competitive Employment
· Supported Employment
· Work Adjustment Training
· In-House Sheltered Workshop programs
· Extended Services
· Janitorial Service Program
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Cornerstone
800 Black Road
Joliet, IL 60435
Phone: (815) 727-6667
Fax: (815) 727-6661 (6688)
· Supported Employment
· Competitive Employment
· Sheltered Workshop
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ILC Enterprises
6918 Windsor Ave.
Berwyn, IL 60502
Phone: (708) 795-4800
Fax: (708) 795-4834
The following services are provided to persons with a primary diagnosis of chronic mental illness:
· Work Adjustment Training in a client run businesses
· Supported Employment
· Competitive Employment
· Vocational Evaluation
· Skill training.
· Screening, assessment, and support for children of low income families.
· Psycho-social rehabilitation.
· 24 Hour Crisis Hotline.
· Psychiatric Evaluations.
· Medication Management.
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Helping Hand Rehabilitation Center
9649 W. 55th Street
Countryside, IL 60525
Phone: (708) 352-3580
· Competitive Employment
· Supported Employment
· Sheltered Workshop
· Work Adjustment Training
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Seguin Services
3100 S. Central Avenue
Cicero, IL
(708) 863-3803
· Supported Employment and Competitive Employment
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Glenkirk
3504 Commercial Avenue
Northbrook, IL
(847) 272-5111
· Workshop
· Supported Employment and Competitive Employment
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Aspire (Formerly PARC)
9901 Derby Lane
Westchester, IL 60154
(708) 547-3560
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Clearbrook Center
746 S. Vermont
Palatine, IL 60008
(847) 870-7711
· Vocational Evaluation
· Supported and Competitive Employment
· Skills Training
· Day Training
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Anixter Center
2001 N. Clybourn #302
Chicago, IL 60614
Phone: (773) 248-6500
Fax: (773) 268-7345
· Supported Employment and Competitive Employment
· Services for deaf and hearing impaired.
· Businesses – janitorial and packaging.
· Day Training.
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OTHER AGENCIES OFFERING DEVELOPMENTAL TRAINING
Marklund, Inc.
Developmental Training at Mill Creek
Marklund Hyde Center
Geneva, IL 60134
Phone: (630) 593-5500
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RRAF
613 S. Main Street
Lombard, IL 60148
Phone: (630) 495-7723
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